The United Federation of Teachers backed Rangel in the past and its switch to Espaillat, a state senator, represents the biggest abandonment of the incumbent by Big Labor.

UFT presdident Mike Mulgrew praised Espaillat in a statement following Wednesday’s vote by the delegate assembly, which recommended that the state union support senator over Rangel.

“[Espaillat] has been a vocal champion for pre-k funding and for additional state aid for education, and a proponent of community schools, which put needed health and community services where they have the most impact – inside city schools,” Mulgrew said.